10 things Singapore does best

By Gillian Rhys, for CNN
6 minute read
Updated 3:11 AM EDT, Mon May 18, 2015
Singapore's Chingay festival is one of many held in the ethnically diverse country with a population spanning Chinese, Malay, Indian and Caucasian, religions including Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism and Christianity and a nonstop series of festivals and holidays to meet the demand.
1. Celebrations —
Singapore's Chingay festival is one of many held in the ethnically diverse country with a population spanning Chinese, Malay, Indian and Caucasian, religions including Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism and Christianity and a nonstop series of festivals and holidays to meet the demand.
Chris McGrath/Getty Images
It's a gutsy pick (<a href="http://travel.cnn.com/14-worlds-most-spectacular-hotel-pools-635521">click here</a> if you don't believe it), but it says here the world's most impressive swimming pool sits on top of the 57-floor Marina Bay Sands hotel, which itself looks like a spaceship marooned on three skyscrapers.
2. Most striking hotel swimming pool —
It's a gutsy pick (click here if you don't believe it), but it says here the world's most impressive swimming pool sits on top of the 57-floor Marina Bay Sands hotel, which itself looks like a spaceship marooned on three skyscrapers.
courtesy Timothy Hursley
At Hamilton Scotts apartment block, residents can drive their cars into an elevator and straight out into their condo.
3. Flamboyant car parking —
At Hamilton Scotts apartment block, residents can drive their cars into an elevator and straight out into their condo.
Courtesy of Han=milton Scotts
Their prized possession takes prime position in the living area, like a home cinema or work of art.
3a. Best living room decor —
Their prized possession takes prime position in the living area, like a home cinema or work of art.
Courtesy of Hamilton Scotts
"Lah" can be, and often is, added to the end of any sentence in Singapore. It can eliminate words and emphasize meaning at the same time. "Come on, don't waste anymore time!" becomes simply "Come on, lah." Good times, lah.
4. Best interjection —
"Lah" can be, and often is, added to the end of any sentence in Singapore. It can eliminate words and emphasize meaning at the same time. "Come on, don't waste anymore time!" becomes simply "Come on, lah." Good times, lah.
Paula Bronstein/Getty Images
Located at the downtown Marina Bay, the Gardens by the Bay feature two cooled conservatory domes including the magical Cloud Forest (pictured). The gardens contain 500,000 plants from around the world.
9. Man-made Gardens —
Located at the downtown Marina Bay, the Gardens by the Bay feature two cooled conservatory domes including the magical Cloud Forest (pictured). The gardens contain 500,000 plants from around the world.
ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP/Getty Images
Instead of ramshackle stalls in the streets, food vendors are grouped together in hygenic outdoor hawker centers, so even timid eaters need not worry. Street food expert KF Seetoh says the Peranakan Flavours Restaurant dishes out arguably the best bakwan kepiting in Singapore.
5. Best street food for wimps —
Instead of ramshackle stalls in the streets, food vendors are grouped together in hygenic outdoor hawker centers, so even timid eaters need not worry. Street food expert KF Seetoh says the Peranakan Flavours Restaurant dishes out arguably the best bakwan kepiting in Singapore.
KF Seetoh/Makansutra
The recently renovated Lau Pa Sat hawker center is one of the city's most historic food markets -- where colonial architecture meets a vast variety of delicious food.
Street Food for wimps —
The recently renovated Lau Pa Sat hawker center is one of the city's most historic food markets -- where colonial architecture meets a vast variety of delicious food.
Courtesy of Singapore Tourism Board
Speaking of old buildings, no place preserves colonial architectural splendor like Singapore. The Grande Dame is the five-star Raffles Hotel, which opened its doors in 1887.
6. Colonial architecture —
Speaking of old buildings, no place preserves colonial architectural splendor like Singapore. The Grande Dame is the five-star Raffles Hotel, which opened its doors in 1887.
ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP/Getty Images
Singapore hosts the world's first Formula One night race in the world. It's part of a three-day event that grips the nation and is an all-round massive party.
7. Nighttime Grand Prix —
Singapore hosts the world's first Formula One night race in the world. It's part of a three-day event that grips the nation and is an all-round massive party.
MOHD RASFAN/AFP/Getty Images
There's one millionaire in every ten households in Singapore. The national's gross domestic product per person is the world's highest at $61,577.
8. High Net Worth Individuals —
There's one millionaire in every ten households in Singapore. The national's gross domestic product per person is the world's highest at $61,577.
ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP/Getty Images
Singapore's streets and parks are kept tidy and groomed, with strict laws about littering and graffiti.